Inbred Sorghum line PHKK4LQKE

ABSTRACT

A novel  sorghum  variety designated PHKK4LQKE and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a plant that comprise crossing  sorghum  variety PHKK4LQKE with another plant. Methods for producing a plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHKK4LQKE through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the  sorghum  seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid  sorghum  seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the  sorghum  variety PHKK4LQKE or a locus conversion of PHKK4LQKE with another  sorghum  variety.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 61/604,225 filed Feb. 28, 2012, hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The discovery is in the field of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)breeding, specifically relating to the sorghum line designatedPHKK4LQKE.

BACKGROUND

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety variousdesirable traits. For field crops, these traits may include higher seedyield, higher biomass yield, higher sugar yield, improved compositiontraits, improved conversion traits, resistance to diseases and insects,better stems and roots, tolerance to heat, tolerance to lowtemperatures, tolerance to drought and salt, reducing the time to cropmaturity, greater yield and yield stability, presence or absence ofdwarfing genes, improved nutrient value, increased growth rate, andbetter agronomic characteristics or grain quality. With mechanicalharvesting of many crops, uniformity of plant characteristics such asgermination and stand establishment, growth rate, maturity, plant heightand fruit size, is important.

Grain sorghum is an important and valuable food and feed grain crop. Inaddition, its vegetative parts are used for forage, syrup and shelter.Thus, a continuing goal of plant breeders is to develop stable highyielding sorghum hybrids that are agronomically sound. The reasons forthis goal are to maximize the amount of grain produced on the land usedand to supply food for both animals and humans.

Sorghum is in the same family as maize and has a similar growth habit,but with more tillers and a more extensively branched root system.Sorghum is more drought resistant and heat-tolerant than maize. Itrequires an average temperature of at least 25° C. to produce maximumyields. Sorghum's ability to thrive with less water than maize may bedue to its ability to hold water in its foliage better than maize.Sorghum has a waxy coating on its leaves and stems which helps to keepwater in the plant even in intense heat. Wild species of sorghum tend togrow to a height of 1.5 to 2 meters; however in order to improveharvestability, dwarfing genes have been selected in cultivatedvarieties and hybrids such that most cultivated varieties and hybridsgrow to between 60 and 120 cm tall.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, there is provided a novel sorghumline designated PHKK4LQKE. This invention relates to seed of sorghumline PHKK4LQKE, to the plants of sorghum line PHKK4LQKE, to plant partsof sorghum line PHKK4LQKE, and to processes for making a plant thatcomprise crossing sorghum line PHKK4LQKE with another plant. Thisinvention also relates to processes for making a plant containing in itsgenetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHKK4LQKE throughbackcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the seed, plant andplant arts produced thereby. This invention further relates to a hybridseed, plant, or plant part produced by crossing the line PHKK4LQKE or alocus conversion of PHKK4LQKE with another plant.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are usedherein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided:

Anthracnose Resistance. This is a visual rating based on the number oflesions caused by anthracnose infection. A score of 9 would indicatelittle necrosis and a score of 1 would indicate plant death as a resultof anthracnose infection.

Bacterial Spot. Bacterial Spot is a disease characterized by small,irregularly shaped lesions on the leaves. Bacterial Spot Resistance israted on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being susceptible and 3 beingresistant.

Bacterial Streak. Bacterial Streak is a disease characterized by narrowyellow stripes on the leaves. Bacterial Streak Resistance is rated on ascale of 1 to 3, with 1 being susceptible and 3 being resistant.

Bacterial Stripe. Bacterial Stripe is a disease characterized by long,narrow red stripes on the leaves. Bacterial Stripe Resistance is ratedon a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being susceptible and 3 being resistant.

Biotype C Greenbug Resistance. This is a visual rating based on theamount of necrosis on leaves and stems caused by biotype C greenbugfeeding. A score of 9 would indicate no leaf or stem damage as a resultof greenbug feeding.

Biotype E Greenbug Resistance. This is a visual rating based on plantseedlings ability to continue growing when infested with large numbersof biotype E greenbugs. A score of 9 indicates normal growth and a scoreof 1 indicates seedling death.

Charcoal Rot. Charcoal Rot is a disease characterized by rotting of theroots and stalks. Charcoal Rot Resistance is rated on a scale of 1 to 9,with 1 being susceptible and 9 being resistant.

Chinch Bug Resistance. This is a visual rating based on the plantsability to grow normally when infested with large numbers of chinchbugs. A score of 9 would indicate normal growth and a score of 1 wouldindicate severe plant stunting and death.

Days to Color. The days to color is the number of days required for aninbred line or hybrid to begin grain coloring from the time of planting.Coloring of the grain is correlated with physiological maturity, thusdays to color gives an estimate of the period required before a hybridis ready for harvest.Days to Flower. The days to flower is the number of days required for aninbred line or hybrid to shed pollen from the time of planting.Downy Mildew Resistance (Pathotypes 1, 3, and 6). This is a visualrating based on the percentage of downy mildew infected plants. A scoreof 9 indicates no infected plants. A score of 1 would indicate higherthan 50% infected plants. Ratings are made for infection by eachpathotype of the disease.Drought Tolerance. This represents a rating for drought tolerance and isbased on data obtained under stress. It is based on such factors asyield, plant health, lodging resistance and stay green. A high scorewould indicate a hybrid tolerant to drought stress.Dry Down. This represents the relative rate at which a plant will reachacceptable harvest moisture compared to other plants. A high scoreindicates a plant that dries relatively fast while a low score indicatesa plant that dries slowly.Fusarium Root and Stalk Rot. Fusarium Root and Stalk Rot is a diseasecharacterized by rotting of the roots and stalks. Fusarium Root andStalk Rot Resistance is rated on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 beingsusceptible and 9 being resistant.Grain Mold. Grain Mold is characterized by the formation of mold onheads and grain. Grain Mold Resistance is rated on a scale of 1 to 9,with 1 being susceptible and 9 being resistant.Gray Leaf Spot Resistance. This is a visual rating based on the numberof gray leaf spot lesions present on the leaves and stem of the plant. Ascore of 9 would indicate the presence of few lesions.Head Exertion. This represents a rating for the length of the peduncleexposed between the base of the panicle (head) and the flag leaf of theplant. A high score indicates more distance between the flag leaf andthe sorghum head while a low score indicates a short distance betweenthe two. Head exertion is important for ease of combine harvesting.Head Smut Resistance (Races 1-5). This is a visual rating based on thepercentage of smut infected plants. A score of 9 would indicate noinfected plants and a score of 1 would indicate higher than 50% infectedplants. Ratings are made for each race of head smut.Head Type. This represents a rating of the morphology of the sorghumpanicle (head). A high score indicates an open panicle caused by eithermore distance between panicle branches or longer panicle branches. A lowscore indicates a more compact panicle caused by shorter paniclebranches arranged more closely on the central rachis.Herbicide Resistance. Resistance to various herbicides when applied atstandard recommended application rates.Leaf Burn Resistance. This is a visual rating based on the amount oftissue damage caused by exposure to insecticide sprays. A score of 9would indicate minor leaf spotting and a score of 1 would indicate leafdeath as a result of contact with insecticide spray.Locus Conversion. A locus conversion refers to plants within a varietythat have been modified in a manner that retains the overall genetics ofthe variety and further comprises one or more loci with a specificdesired trait, such as male sterility, insect, disease, or herbicideresistance. Examples of single locus conversions include mutant genes,transgenes and native traits finely mapped to a single locus. One ormore locus conversion traits may be introduced into a single variety.Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus Resistance. This is a visual rating based onthe percentage of plants showing symptoms of virus infection. A score of9 would indicate no plants with virus symptoms and a 1 would indicate ahigh percentage of plants showing symptoms of virus infection such asstunting, red leaf symptoms or leaf mottling.Midge Resistance. This is a visual rating based on the percentage ofseed set in the panicle in the presence of large numbers of midgeadults. A score of 9 would indicate near normal seed set and a score of1 would indicate no seed set in the head due to midge damage.Moisture. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture of the grain atharvest.Percent Yield. The percent yield is the yield obtained from the hybridin terms of percent of the mean for the experiment in which it wasgrown.Plant. As used herein, the term “plant” includes reference to animmature or mature whole plant. Seed or embryo that will produce theplant is also considered to be the plant.Plant Height. This is a measure of the average height of the hybrid fromthe ground to the tip of the panicle and is measured in inches.Plant Part. As used herein, the term “plant part” includes leaves,stems, roots, seed, grain, panicles, embryo, pollen, ovules, flowers,stalks, root tips, anthers, pericarp, tissue, cells and the like.Predicted RM. This trait, predicted relative maturity (RM), for a hybridis based on the number of days required for an inbred line or hybrid toshed pollen from the time of planting. The relative maturity rating isbased on a known set of checks and utilizes standard linear regressionanalyses.Puccinia (Rust) Resistance. This is a visual rating based on the numberof rust pustules present on the leaves and stem of the plant. A score of9 would indicate the presence of few rust pustules.RM to Color. This trait for a hybrid is based on the number of daysrequired for a hybrid to begin to show color development in the grainfrom the time of planting. The relative maturity rating is based on aknown set of checks and utilizes standard linear regression analyses.Root Lodging. This represents a rating of the percentage of plants thatdo not root lodge, i.e. those that lean from the vertical axis at anapproximate 30 degree angle or greater without stalk breakage areconsidered to be root lodged. This is a relative rating of a hybrid toother hybrids for standability.Sales Appearance. This represents a rating of the acceptability of thehybrid in the market place. It is a complex score including such factorsas hybrid uniformity, appearance of yield, grain texture, grain colorand general plant health. A high score indicates the hybrid would bereadily accepted based on appearance only. A low score indicates hybridacceptability to be marginal based on appearance only.Salt Tolerance. This represents a rating of the plants ability to grownormally in soils having high sodium salt content. This is a relativerating of a hybrid to other hybrids for normal growth.Selection Index. The selection index gives a single measure of thehybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A sorghumbreeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selectionindex. Two of the traits that are almost always included are yield anddays to flower (maturity). The selection index data presented in thetables in the specification represent the mean values averaged acrosstesting stations.Sooty Stripe. Sooty Stripe is a disease characterized by elongate,elliptical lesions on the leaves. Sooty Stripe Resistance is rated on ascale of 1 to 9, with 1 being susceptible and 9 being resistant.Stalk Lodging. This represents a rating of the percentage of plants thatdo not stalk lodge, i.e. stalk breakage above the ground caused bynatural causes. This is a relative rating of a hybrid to other hybridsfor standability.Stay Green. Stay green is the measure of plant health near the time ofharvest. A high score indicates better late-season plant health.Test Weight. This is the measure of the weight of the grain in poundsfor a given volume (bushel) adjusted for percent moisture.Weathering. This represents a rating of how well the exposed grains areable to retain normal seed quality when exposed to normal weatherhazards and surface grain molds.Yield (cwt/acre). The yield in cwt/acre is the actual yield of the grainat harvest adjusted to 13% moisture.Yield/RM. This represents a rating of a hybrid yield compared to otherhybrids of similar maturity or RM. A high score would indicate a hybridwith higher yield than other hybrids of the same maturity.Yield Under Stress. This is a rating of the plants ability to producegrain under heat and drought stress conditions. A score of 9 wouldindicate near normal growth and grain yield and a score of 1 wouldindicate substantial yield reduction due to stress.Zonate Leaf Spot Resistance. This is a visual rating based on the numberof zonate leaf spot lesions present on the leaves and stem of the plant.A score of 9 would indicate the presence of few lesions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of theplant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinating if pollenfrom one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower ona different plant.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between twohomozygous plants from differing backgrounds or two homozygous linesproduce a uniform population of hybrid plants that may be heterozygousfor many gene loci. A cross of two plants that are each heterozygous ata number of gene loci will produce a population of hybrid plants thatdiffer genetically and will not be uniform.

Sorghum plants (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are bred in most cases byself pollination techniques. With the incorporation of male sterility(either genetic or cytoplasmic) cross pollination breeding techniquescan also be utilized. Sorghum has a perfect flower with both male andfemale parts in the same flower located in the panicle. The flowers areusually in pairs on the panicle branches. Natural pollination occurs insorghum when anthers (male flowers) open and pollen falls onto receptivestigma (female flowers). Because of the close proximity of male(anthers) and female (stigma) in the panicle, self pollination is veryhigh (average 94%). Cross pollination may occur when wind or convectioncurrents move pollen from the anthers of one plant to receptive stigmaon another plant. Cross pollination is greatly enhanced withincorporation of male sterility which renders male flowers nonviablewithout affecting the female flowers. Successful pollination in the caseof male sterile flowers requires cross pollination.

Inbred Development

The development of sorghum hybrids requires the development ofhomozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluationof the crosses. Pedigree breeding methods, and to a lesser extentpopulation breeding methods, are used to develop inbred lines frombreeding populations. Breeding programs combine desirable traits fromtwo or more inbred lines into breeding pools from which new inbred linesare developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The newinbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybrids from thesecrosses are evaluated to determine which have commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, each ofwhich may have one or more desirable characteristics that is lacking inthe other or which complement the other. If the two original parents donot provide all of the desired characteristics, other sources can beincluded in the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superiorplants are selfed and selected in successive generations. In thesucceeding generations the heterozygous condition gives way tohomogeneous lines as a result of self-pollination and selection.Typically, in the pedigree method of breeding five or more generationsof selfing and selection is practiced. F₁ to F₂; F₂ to F₃; F₃ to F₄, F₄to F₅, etc.

Backcrossing can be used to improve an inbred line. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or source to aninbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished for example byfirst crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to a donorinbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate genes(s)for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross is then mated backto the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection in theresultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny will be heterozygous forloci controlling the characteristic being transferred, but will be likethe superior parent for most or almost all other genes. The lastbackcross generation would be selfed to give pure breeding progeny forthe gene(s) being transferred.

Controlling Self-Pollination

Sorghum varieties are mainly self-pollinated; therefore,self-pollination of the parental varieties must be controlled to makehybrid development feasible. A pollination control system and effectivetransfer of pollen from one parent to the other offers improved plantbreeding and an effective method for producing hybrid seed and plants.For example, the milo or A₁ cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) system,developed via a cross between milo and kafir cultivars, is one of themost frequently used CMS systems in hybrid sorghum production (StephensJ C & Holland P F, Cytoplasmic Male Sterility for Hybrid Sorghum SeedProduction, Agron. J. 46:20-23 (1954)). Other CMS systems for sorghuminclude, but are not limited to, A₂, isolated from IS 12662c (Schertz KF, Registration of A ₂ T _(x) 2753 and BT _(x) 2753 Sorghum Germplasm,Crop Sci. 17: 983 (1977)), A₃, isolated from IS 1112c or converted Nilwa(Quinby J R, Interactions of Genes and Cytoplasms in Male-Sterility inSorghums, Proc. 35th Corn Sorghum Res. Conf. Am. Seed Trade Assoc.Chicago, Ill., pp. 5-8 (1980)), A₄, isolated from IS 7920c (Worstell etal, Relationship among Male-Sterility Inducing Cytoplasms of Sorghum,Crop Sci. 24:186-189 (1984)).

In developing improved new sorghum hybrid varieties, breeders may use aCMS plant as the female parent. In using these plants, breeders attemptto improve the efficiency of seed production and the quality of the F₁hybrids and to reduce the breeding costs. When hybridization isconducted without using CMS plants, it is more difficult to obtain andisolate the desired traits in the progeny (F₁ generation) because theparents are capable of undergoing both cross-pollination andself-pollination. If one of the parents is a CMS plant that is incapableof producing pollen, only cross pollination will occur. By eliminatingthe pollen of one parental variety in a cross, a plant breeder isassured of obtaining hybrid seed of uniform quality, provided that theparents are of uniform quality and the breeder conducts a single cross.

In one instance, production of F₁ hybrids includes crossing a CMS femaleparent with a pollen-producing male parent. To reproduce effectively,however, the male parent of the F₁ hybrid must have a fertility restorergene (Rf gene). The presence of an Rf gene means that the F₁ generationwill not be completely or partially sterile, so that eitherself-pollination or cross pollination may occur. Self pollination of theF₁ generation to produce several subsequent generations is important toensure that a desired trait is heritable and stable and that a newvariety has been isolated.

Promising advanced breeding lines commonly are tested and compared toappropriate standards in environments representative of the commercialtarget area(s). The best lines are candidates for new commercial lines;and those still deficient in a few traits may be used as parents toproduce new populations for further selection.

Hybrid Development

A hybrid sorghum variety is the cross of two inbred lines, each of whichmay have one or more desirable characteristics lacked by the other orwhich complement the other. The hybrid progeny of the first generationis designated F₁. In the development of hybrids only the F₁ hybridplants are sought. The F₁ hybrid is more vigorous than its inbredparents. This hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in manyways, including increased vegetative growth and increased yield.

The development of a hybrid sorghum variety involves five steps: (1) theformation of “restorer” and “non-restorer” germplasm pools; (2) theselection of superior plants from various “restorer” and “non-restorer”germplasm pools; (3) the selfing of the superior plants for severalgenerations to produce a series of inbred lines, which althoughdifferent from each other, each breed true and are highly uniform; (4)the conversion of inbred lines classified as non-restorers tocytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) forms, and (5) crossing the selectedcytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) inbred lines with selected fertile inbredlines (restorer lines) to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁).

Because sorghum is normally a self pollinated plant and because bothmale and female flowers are in the same panicle, large numbers of hybridseed can only be produced by using cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS)inbreds. Flowers of the CMS inbred are fertilized with pollen from amale fertile inbred carrying genes which restore male fertility in thehybrid (F₁) plants. An important consequence of the homozygosity andhomogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between any twoinbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that produce the besthybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproducedindefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parent ismaintained.

A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed toproduce the F₁ progeny. Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F₁ hybridsis lost in the next generation (F₂). Consequently, seed from hybridvarieties is not used for planting stock.

Hybrid grain sorghum can be produced using wind to move the pollen.Alternating strips of the cytoplasmic male sterile inbred (female) andthe male fertile inbred (male) are planted in the same field. Wind movesthe pollen shed by the male inbred to receptive stigma on the female.Providing that there is sufficient isolation from sources of foreignsorghum pollen, the stigma of the male sterile inbred (female) will befertilized only with pollen from the male fertile inbred (male). Theresulting seed, born on the male sterile (female) plants is thereforehybrid and will form hybrid plants that have full fertility restored.

Locus Conversions of Sorghum Line PHKK4LQKE

PHKK4LQKE represents a new base genetic line into which a new locus ortrait may be introduced. Direct transformation and backcrossingrepresent two important methods that can be used to accomplish such anintrogression. The term locus conversion is used to designate theproduct of such an introgression.

To select and develop a superior hybrid, it is necessary to identify andselect genetically unique individuals that occur in a segregatingpopulation. The segregating population is the result of a combination ofcrossover events plus the independent assortment of specificcombinations of alleles at many gene loci that results in specific andunique genotypes. Once such a variety is developed its value to societyis substantial since it is important to advance the germplasm base as awhole in order to maintain or improve traits such as yield, diseaseresistance, pest resistance and plant performance in extreme weatherconditions. Locus conversions are routinely used to add or modify one ora few traits of such a line and this further enhances its value andusefulness to society.

Backcrossing can be used to improve inbred varieties and a hybridvariety which is made using those inbreds. Backcrossing can be used totransfer a specific desirable trait from one variety, the donor parent,to an inbred called the recurrent parent which has overall goodagronomic characteristics yet that lacks the desirable trait. Thistransfer of the desirable trait into an inbred with overall goodagronomic characteristics can be accomplished by first crossing arecurrent parent to a donor parent (non-recurrent parent). The progenyof this cross is then mated back to the recurrent parent followed byselection in the resultant progeny for the desired trait to betransferred from the non-recurrent parent.

Traits may be used by those of ordinary skill in the art to characterizeprogeny. Traits are commonly evaluated at a significance level, such asa 1%, 5% or 10% significance level, when measured in plants grown in thesame environmental conditions. For example, a locus conversion ofPHKK4LQKE may be characterized as having essentially the same phenotypictraits as PHKK4LQKE. The traits used for comparison may be those traitsshown in Table 1. Molecular markers can also be used during the breedingprocess for the selection of qualitative traits. For example, markerscan be used to select plants that contain the alleles of interest duringa backcrossing breeding program. The markers can also be used to selectfor the genome of the recurrent parent and against the genome of thedonor parent. Using this procedure can minimize the amount of genomefrom the donor parent that remains in the selected plants.

A locus conversion of PHKK4LQKE will retain the genetic integrity ofPHKK4LQKE. A locus conversion of PHKK4LQKE will comprise at least 92%,93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the base genetics of PHKK4LQKE.For example, a locus conversion of PHKK4LQKE can be developed when DNAsequences are introduced through backcrossing (Hallauer et al., 1988),with a parent of PHKK4LQKE utilized as the recurrent parent. Bothnaturally occurring and transgenic DNA sequences may be introducedthrough backcrossing techniques. A backcross conversion may produce aplant with a locus conversion in at least one or more backcrosses,including at least 2 crosses, at least 3 crosses, at least 4 crosses, atleast 5 crosses and the like. Molecular marker assisted breeding orselection may be utilized to reduce the number of backcrosses necessaryto achieve the backcross conversion. For example, see Openshaw, S. J. etal., Marker-assisted Selection in Backcross Breeding. In: ProceedingsSymposium of the Analysis of Molecular Data, August 1994, Crop ScienceSociety of America, Corvallis, Oreg., where it is demonstrated that abackcross conversion can be made in as few as two backcrosses. A locusconversion of PHKK4LQKE can be determined through the use of a molecularprofile. A locus conversion of PHKK4LQKE would have 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the molecular markers, or molecular profile, ofPHKK4LQKE. Examples of molecular markers that could be used to determinethe molecular profile include Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms(RFLP), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, and Simple SequenceRepeats (SSR), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).

Transformation of Sorghum Line PHKK4LQKE

The advent of new molecular biological techniques has allowed theisolation and characterization of genetic elements with specificfunctions, such as encoding specific protein products. Scientists in thefield of plant biology developed a strong interest in engineering thegenome of plants to contain and express foreign genetic elements, oradditional, or modified versions of native or endogenous geneticelements in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner.Any DNA sequences, whether from a different species or from the samespecies, that are inserted into the genome using transformation arereferred to herein collectively as “transgenes.”

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki, et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick.In addition, expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plantcell or tissue transformation and regeneration of plants are available.See, for example, Gruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” inMethods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick andThompson, Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119.

The most prevalent types of plant transformation involve theconstruction of an expression vector. Such a vector comprises a DNAsequence that contains a gene under the control of or operatively linkedto a regulatory element, for example a promoter. The vector may containone or more genes and one or more regulatory elements.

A genetic trait which has been engineered into a particular sorghumplant using transformation techniques, could be moved into another lineusing traditional breeding techniques that are well known in the plantbreeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach could be used tomove a transgene from a transformed sorghum plant to an elite inbredline and the resulting progeny would comprise a transgene. Also, if aninbred line was used for the transformation then the transgenic plantscould be crossed to a different line in order to produce a transgenichybrid sorghum plant. As used herein, “crossing” can refer to a simple Xby Y cross, or the process of backcrossing, depending on the context.Various genetic elements can be introduced into the plant genome usingtransformation. These elements include but are not limited to genes;coding sequences; inducible, constitutive, and tissue specificpromoters; enhancing sequences; and signal and targeting sequences. Forexample, see, U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,055.

With transgenic plants according to the present discovery, a foreignprotein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques forthe selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are wellunderstood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants which areharvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign protein then can beextracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Proteinextraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods whichare discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, (1981) Anal. Biochem.114:92-96.

A genetic map can be generated, primarily via conventional RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)analysis, and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR), and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs), which identifies the approximate chromosomallocation of the integrated DNA molecule coding for the foreign protein.For exemplary methodologies in this regard, see, Glick and Thompson,METHODS IN PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 269-284 (CRC Press,Boca Raton, 1993). Map information concerning chromosomal location isuseful for proprietary protection of a subject transgenic plant. Ifunauthorized propagation is undertaken and crosses made with othergermplasm, the map of the integration region can be compared to similarmaps for suspect plants, to determine if the latter have a commonparentage with the subject plant. Map comparisons would involvehybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR, SNP, and sequencing, all of which areconventional techniques.

Likewise, by means of the present discovery, plants can be geneticallyengineered to express various phenotypes of agronomic interest.Exemplary transgenes implicated in this regard include, but are notlimited to, those categorized below.

1. Genes that create a site for site specific DNA integration.

This includes the introduction of FRT sites that may be used in theFLP/FRT system and/or Lox sites that may be used in the Cre/Loxp system.For example, see, Lyznik, et al., (2003) “Site-Specific Recombinationfor Genetic Engineering in Plants”, Plant Cell Rep 21:925-932 and WO99/25821, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other systems thatmay be used include the Gin recombinase of phage Mu (Maeser, et al.,1991), the Pin recombinase of E. coli (Enomoto, et al., 1983), and theR/RS system of the pSR1 plasmid (Araki, et al., 1992).

2. Genes that affect abiotic stress resistance (including but notlimited to flowering, panicle/glume and seed development, enhancement ofnitrogen utilization efficiency, altered nitrogen responsiveness,drought resistance or tolerance, cold resistance or tolerance, and saltresistance or tolerance) and increased yield under stress.

For example, see, WO 00/73475 where water use efficiency is alteredthrough alteration of malate; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,892,009, 5,965,705,5,929,305, 5,891,859, 6,417,428, 6,664,446, 6,706,866, 6,717,034,6,801,104, WO2000060089, WO2001026459, WO2001035725, WO2001034726,WO2001035727, WO2001036444, WO2001036597, WO2001036598, WO2002015675,WO2002017430, WO2002077185, WO2002079403, WO2003013227, WO2003013228,WO2003014327, WO2004031349, WO2004076638, WO9809521 and WO9938977describing genes, including CBF genes and transcription factorseffective in mitigating the negative effects of freezing, high salinity,and drought on plants, as well as conferring other positive effects onplant phenotype; US Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0148654and WO01/36596 where abscisic acid is altered in plants resulting inimproved plant phenotype such as increased yield and/or increasedtolerance to abiotic stress; WO2000/006341, WO04/090143, U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 10/817,483 and 09/545,334 where cytokininexpression is modified resulting in plants with increased stresstolerance, such as drought tolerance, and/or increased yield. Also seeWO0202776, WO03052063, JP2002281975, U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,153, WO0164898,U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,275 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,547 (enhancement ofnitrogen utilization and altered nitrogen responsiveness). For ethylenealteration, see, US Patent Application Publication Numbers 2004/0128719,2003/0166197 and WO200032761. For plant transcription factors ortranscriptional regulators of abiotic stress, see e.g., US PatentApplication Publication Number 2004/0098764 or US Patent ApplicationPublication Number 2004/0078852.

Other genes and transcription factors that affect plant growth andagronomic traits such as yield, flowering, plant growth and/or plantstructure, can be introduced or introgressed into plants, see, e.g.,WO97/49811 (LHY), WO98/56918 (ESD4), WO97/10339 and U.S. Pat. No.6,573,430 (TFL), U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,663 (FT), WO96/14414 (CON),WO96/38560, WO01/21822 (VRN1), WO00/44918 (VRN2), WO99/49064 (GI),WO00/46358 (FRI), WO97/29123, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,794,560, 6,307,126 (GAI),WO99/09174 (D8 and Rht), and WO2004076638 and WO2004031349(transcription factors).

3. Transgenes that confer or contribute to an altered graincharacteristic, such as:

-   -   A. Altered phosphorus content, for example, by the        -   (1) Introduction of a phytase-encoding gene would enhance            breakdown of phytate, adding more free phosphate to the            transformed plant. For example, see, Van Hartingsveldt, et            al., Gene 127:87 (1993), for a disclosure of the nucleotide            sequence of an Aspergillus niger phytase gene.        -   (2) Up-regulation of a gene that reduces phytate content. In            maize, this, for example, could be accomplished, by cloning            and then re-introducing DNA associated with one or more of            the alleles, such as the LPA alleles, identified in maize            mutants characterized by low levels of phytic acid, such as            in Raboy, et al. (1990).    -   B. Altered fatty acids, for example, by down-regulation of        stearoyl-ACP desaturase to increase stearic acid content of the        plant. See Knultzon, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:2624        (1992).    -   C. Altered carbohydrates effected, for example, by altering a        gene for an enzyme that affects the branching pattern of starch,        a gene altering thioredoxin. (See, U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,648).        See, Shiroza, et al., (1988) J. Bacteriol 170:810 (nucleotide        sequence of Streptococcus mutans fructosyltransferase gene),        Steinmetz, et al., (1985) Mol. Gen. Genet. 200:220 (nucleotide        sequence of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene), Pen, et        al., (1992) Bio/Technology 10:292 (production of transgenic        plants that express Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase),        Elliot, et al., (1993) Plant Molec Biol 21:515 (nucleotide        sequences of tomato invertase genes), Søgaard, et al., (1993) J.        Biol. Chem. 268:22480 (site-directed mutagenesis of barley        alpha-amylase gene) and Fisher, et al., (1993) Plant Physiol        102:1045 (maize endosperm starch branching enzyme II), WO        99/10498 (improved digestibility and/or starch extraction        through modification of UDP-D-xylose 4-epimerase, Fragile 1 and        2, Ref1, HCHL, C4H), U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,529 (method of        producing high oil seed by modification of starch levels (AGP)).        The fatty acid modification genes mentioned above may also be        used to affect starch content and/or composition through the        interrelationship of the starch and oil pathways.    -   D. Altered antioxidant content or composition, such as        alteration of tocopherol or tocotrienols. For example, see, U.S.        Pat. No. 6,787,683, US Patent Application Publication Number        2004/0034886 and WO 00/68393 involving the manipulation of        antioxidant levels through alteration of a phytl prenyl        transferase (ppt), WO 03/082899 through alteration of a        homogentisate geranyl geranyl transferase (hggt).    -   E. Altered essential seed amino acids. For example, see, U.S.        Pat. No. 6,127,600 (method of increasing accumulation of        essential amino acids in seeds), U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,913 (binary        methods of increasing accumulation of essential amino acids in        seeds), U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,389 (high lysine), WO99/40209        (alteration of amino acid compositions in seeds), WO99/29882        (methods for altering amino acid content of proteins), U.S. Pat.        No. 5,850,016 (alteration of amino acid compositions in seeds),        WO98/20133 (proteins with enhanced levels of essential amino        acids), U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,802 (high methionine), U.S. Pat. No.        5,885,801 (high threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,445 (plant amino        acid biosynthetic enzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,019 (increased        lysine and threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,274 (plant tryptophan        synthase beta subunit), U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,403 (methionine        metabolic enzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,599 (high sulfur), U.S.        Pat. No. 5,912,414 (increased methionine), WO98/56935 (plant        amino acid biosynthetic enzymes), WO98/45458 (engineered seed        protein having higher percentage of essential amino acids),        WO98/42831 (increased lysine), U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,436        (increasing sulfur amino acid content), U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,223        (synthetic storage proteins with defined structure containing        programmable levels of essential amino acids for improvement of        the nutritional value of plants), WO96/01905 (increased        threonine), WO95/15392 (increased lysine), US Patent Application        Publication Number 2003/0163838, US Patent Application        Publication Number 2003/0150014, US Patent Application        Publication Number 2004/0068767, U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,498,        WO01/79516, and WO00/09706 (Ces A: cellulose synthase), U.S.        Pat. No. 6,194,638 (hemicellulose), U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,859 and        US Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0025203 (UDPGdH),        U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,638 (RGP).        4. Genes that confer male sterility        There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterility        available, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations        within the genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in        U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar, et al., and        chromosomal translocations as described by Patterson in U.S.        Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. In addition to these methods,        Albertsen, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,068, describes a system        of nuclear male sterility which includes: identifying a gene        which is critical to male fertility; silencing this native gene        which is critical to male fertility; removing the native        promoter from the essential male fertility gene and replacing it        with an inducible promoter; inserting this genetically        engineered gene back into the plant; and thus creating a plant        that is male sterile because the inducible promoter is not “on”        resulting in the male fertility gene not being transcribed.        Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning “on,” the        promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male        fertility to be transcribed.    -   A. A dominant nuclear gene, Ms(tc) controlling male sterility.        See, Elkonin, L. A., Theor. Appl. Genet. (2005) 111(7):        1377-1384.    -   B. A tapetum-specific gene, RTS, a sorghum anther-specific gene        is required for male fertility and its promoter sequence directs        tissue-specific gene expression in different plant species. Luo,        Hong, et al., Plant Molecular Biology., 62(3): 397-408(12)        (2006). Introduction of a deacetylase gene under the control of        a tapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the        chemical N-Ac-PPT. See International Publication No. WO        01/29237.    -   C. Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters.        Anther-specific is promoters which are of particular utility in        the production of transgenic male-sterile monocots and plants        for restoring their fertility. See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,948. See        also, International Publication Nos. WO 92/13956 and WO        92/13957.    -   D. Introduction of the barnase and the barstar genes. See, Paul,        et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 19:611-622 (1992).        -   For additional examples of nuclear male and female sterility            systems and genes, see also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,859,341,            6,297,426, 5,478,369, 5,824,524, 5,850,014, and 6,265,640.            See also, Hanson, Maureen R., et al., “Interactions of            Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genes That Affect Male Gametophyte            Development,” Plant Cell., 16:S154-S169 (2004), all of which            are hereby incorporated by reference.    -   A. Modification of RNA editing within mitochondrial open reading        frames. See, Pring, D. R., et al, Curr. Genet. (1998) 33(6):        429-436; Pring, D. R., et al., J. Hered. (1999) 90(3): 386-393;        Pring, D. R., et al., Curr. Genet. (2001) 39(5-6): 371-376; and        Hedgcoth, C., et al., Curr. Genet. (2002) 41(5): 357-365.    -   B. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) from mutations at atp6        codons. See, Kempken, F., FEBS. Lett. (1998): 441(2): 159-160.    -   C. Inducing male sterility through heat shock. See, Wang, L., Yi        Chuan Xue Bao. (2000) 27(9): 834-838.    -   D. Inducing male sterility through treatment of streptomycin on        sorghum callus cultures. See, Elkonin, L. A., et al.,        Genetica (2008) 44(5): 663-673.        Uses of Sorghum

Sorghum is used as livestock feed, as sugar or grain for humanconsumption, as biomass, and as raw material in industry. The mostcommon use of sorghum grain in the United States is as livestock feed,primarily to beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs and poultry. The plant isalso used as livestock feed in the form of fodder, silage, hay andpasture.

Sorghum grain is most important as human food in areas outside theUnited States. In these areas, the grain is consumed in the form ofbread, porridge, confectionaries and as an alcoholic beverage. Grainsorghum may be ground into flour and either used directly or blendedwith wheat or corn flour in the preparation of food products. Inaddition to direct consumption of the grain, sorghum has long been usedin many areas of the world to make beer. The uses of sorghum, inaddition to human consumption of kernels, include both products of dryand wet milling industries. The principal products of sorghum drymilling are grits, meal and flour. Starch and other extracts for fooduse can be provided by the wet milling process.

Sorghum provides a source of industrial raw material. Industrial usesare mainly from sorghum starch from the wet-milling industry and sorghumflour from the dry milling industry. Sorghum starch and flour haveapplication in the paper and textile industries. Other industrial usesinclude applications in adhesives, building materials and as oil-wellmuds. Considerable amounts of sorghum, both grain and plant material,have been used in industrial alcohol production.

Characteristics of PHKK4LQKE

Sorghum line PHKK4LQKE a grain sorghum inbred parent, was developed byPioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., from the F₂ population of thesingle cross PHKU3JBKE×PHK4WJQKE. Both PHKU3JBKE and PHK4WJQKE areproprietary lines of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

Sorghum line PHKK4LQKE can be used in breeding techniques to createhybrids. PHKK4LQKE is a male line that carries a gene for therestoration of fertility. When a sterile version of an inbred ispollinated by a male line that carries a gene for the restoration offertility, it results in a fertile hybrid. Generally, the seed producedfrom this cross is the seed that is commercially sold.

To produce sorghum line PHKK4LQKE, the pedigree method of breeding wasused. The F₁ cross was made at Irapuato, Mexico, during the summer of2004, and F₂ seed was obtained by selfing hybrid plants during thewinter of 2004-2005 in is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The F₂ population wasgrown at Irapuato, Mexico, during the summer of 2005, and plants wereself-pollinated. Best heads were bulked from the F₂ population. The F₃family was grown as a bulk in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, during the winterof 2005-2006. Fifty-one F₄ heads were selected and grown head to row inIrapuato, Mexico, during the summer of 2006. Plants were selfed, and twoheads were saved from selected rows. The F₅ was grown in PuertoVallarta, Mexico, during the winter of 2006-2007, and two heads wereselfed. The line was crossed onto a male sterile A line tester toproduce seed for topeross yield testing. The F₆ was grown in Irapuato,Mexico, during the summer of 2007 where two heads were selfed. The mostuniform row was bulked. During 2007, hybrid yield trials were grown inIrapuato, Mexico, involving the testcross hybrids made at F₅ to evaluateyield and other agronomic traits. The line was bulked at F₆.

Sorghum line PHKK4LQKE has shown stability for traits listed in Table 1.It has been self-pollinated, bulk increased and checked for uniformityof plant type to assure genetic homozygosity and phenotypic stability.The line has been increased by hand pollination and in isolated fieldplantings with continued observation for uniformity. It has beenobserved to be uniform and stable for four generations.

Sorghum line PHKK4LQKE has the characteristics shown in Table 1. Thisinvention relates to seed of sorghum line PHKK4LQKE, plants of sorghumline PHKK4LQKE, plant parts of sorghum line PHKK4LQKE, and processes formaking a plant that comprise crossing sorghum line PHKK4LQKE withanother plant. This invention includes PHKK4LQKE with cytoplasmcomprising a gene or genes that cause male sterility. This inventionalso relates to processes for making a plant containing in its geneticmaterial one or more traits introgressed into PHKK4LQKE throughbackcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the seed, plant andplant arts produced thereby. This invention further relates to a hybridsorghum seed, plant, or plant part produced by crossing the linePHKK4LQKE or a locus conversion of PHKK4LQKE with another plant.

The terms variants, modification and mutant refer to a hybrid seed or aplant produced by that hybrid seed which is phenotypically similar toPHKK4LQKE.

As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cell or tissue culture from which plants can beregenerated, plant calli, plant clumps and plant cells that are intactin plants or parts of plants such as flowers, kernels, panicles, leaves,stalks and the like. Sorghum tissue culture techniques are described inBright and Jones, Cereal Tissue and Cell Culture, chapter 6, (MartinusNijnoff/Dr. W. Junk, Amsterdam) on pages 176-203.

The foregoing discovery has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of exemplification. However, itwill be apparent that changes and modifications such as single genemodifications and mutations, somaclonal variants, variant individualsselected from populations of the plants of the instant variety, and thelike, are considered to be within the scope of the present discovery.All references disclosed herein whether to journal, patents, publishedapplications and the like are hereby incorporated in their entirety byreference.

DEPOSITS

Applicant has made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of Sorghum VarietyPHKK4LQKE with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, USA, with ATCC DepositNo. PTA-122067. The seeds deposited with the ATCC on Mar. 30, 2015 wereobtained from the seed of the variety maintained by Pioneer Hi-BredInternational, Inc., 7250 NW 62nd Avenue, Johnston, Iowa, 50131 sinceprior to the filing date of this application. Access to this seed willbe available during the pendency of the application to the Commissionerof Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by the Commissioner tobe entitled thereto upon request. Upon allowance of any claims in theapplication, the Applicant will make the deposit available to the publicpursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.808. This deposit of the Sorghum VarietyPHKK4LQKE will be maintained in the ATCC depository, which is a publicdepository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recentrequest, or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer,and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period.Additionally, Applicant has or will satisfy all of the requirements of37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809, including providing an indication of theviability of the sample upon deposit. Applicant has no authority towaive any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer of biologicalmaterial or its transportation in commerce. Applicant does not waive anyinfringement of rights granted under this patent or under the PlantVariety Protection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq.).

TABLE 1 Variety Descriptions based on Morphological, Agronomic andQuality Traits Trait Category Description Kind 1 Sorghum 1 = Sorghum 2 =Sorghum x Almum 3 = Sudangrass 4 = Johnsongrass 5 = Other Inbred Type 3Restorer 1 = Male Sterile 2 = Maintainer 3 = Restorer Male SterileCytoplasm 1 A-1 1 = A-1 2 = A-2 3 = A-3 4 = A-4 5 = A-5 6 = Other UseClass 1 Grain 1 = Grain 2 = Forage 3 = Silage 4 = Sugar 5 = Syrup 6 =Broomcorn 7 = Multipurpose Days from planting to Mid-Anthesis 78 NumberDays Later than Redland 5 Coleptile 1 Green 1 = Green 2 = Red PlantPigment 3 Purple 1 = Tan 2 = Red 3 = Purple 4 = Other Main StalkDiameter 2 Mid-Stout 1 = Slim 2 = Mid-Stout 3 = Stout Stalk Height, cmfrom Soil to Top of Panicle 147 Stalk Height, cm Greater than Redland 32No. of Recessive Height 3 dw1, dw2, Genes Plant Height Genotype dw4 WaxyBloom 1 Present 1 = Present 2 = Absent Tillers 1 Few 1 = Few 2 =Moderate 3 = Many Sweetness 1 Sweet 1 = Sweet 2 = Insipid Juiciness 2Juice 1 = Dry (Pithy) 2 = Juice Panicle Exsertion 2 Medium 1 = Short 2 =Medium 3 = Long Degree of Senescence 2 Nonsenescent 1 = Senescent 2 =Nonsenescent 3 = Intermediate Leaf Width (Relative to Class) 2 Moderate1 = Narrow 2 = Moderate 3 = Wide Leaf Color 2 Dark Green 1 = Light Green2 = Dark Green Leaf Margin 2 Wavy 1 = Smooth 2 = Wavy Leaf Attitude 1Erect 1 = Erect 2 = Horizontal 3 = Drooping Leaf Ligule 1 Present 1 =Present 2 = Absent Leaf Midrib Color 1 White 1 = White 2 = Intermediate3 = Cloudy 4 = Yellow 5 = Brown Anther Color (at Flowering) Yellow 1 =White 2 = Light Yellow 3 = Dark Yellow 4 = Wine Panicle Length (cm) 22Panicle, cm Less than Redland 5 Panicle Density 3 Semi- 1 = Open Compact2 = Semi-Open 3 = Semi-Compact 4 = Compact Panicle Shape 3 Cylindrical 1= Round 2 = Oval 3 = Cylindrical 4 = Conical 5 = Obovate Length ofCentral Rachis (% of Panicle 1 100% Length) 1 = 100% 2 = 75% 3 = 50% 4 =25% Rachis Branches (at Grain Maturity) 1 Erect 1 = Erect 2 = Horizontal3 = Drooping Rachis Branch Average 2 Intermediate 1 = Short 2 =Intermediate 3 = Long Panicle Type (Refer to panicle type diagram 3 fromObjective Description of Variety Sorghum and Related Crops form,available from USDA Plant Variety Protection Office) Glumes Length 1Short 1 = Short 2 = Intermediate 3 = Long % of Grain Covered by Glume 125% 1 = 25% 2 = 50% 3 = 75% 4 = 100% 5 = Over 100% Glumes Texture 2Intermediate 1 = Papery 2 = Intermediate 3 = Tough Glumes Color (atGrain Maturity) 2 Mahogany 1 = Black 2 = Mahogany 3 = Red 4 = Sienna 5 =Dark Tan 6 = Light Tan Glumes Hairiness 1 Smooth 1 = Smooth 2 =Intermediate 3 = Hairy Glumes Venation 2 Absent 1 = Present 2 = AbsentGlumes Transverse Wrinkle 2 Absent 1 = Present 2 = Absent Glumes Awns 1Absent 1 = Absent 2 = Short 3 = Intermediate 4 = Long Roots 1 Fibrous 1= Fibrous 2 = Rhizomatous Grain Testa 1 Absent 1 = Absent 2 = PresentGrain Mesocarp Thickness 2 Intermediate 1 = Thin 2 = Intermediate 3 =Thick Grain Epicarp Color (Genetic) 1 White 1 = White 2 = Lemon Yellow 3= Red Grain Spreader (Tannin in Pericarp) 1 Absent 1 = Absent 2 =Present Grain Intensifier 1 Absent 1 = Absent 2 = Present Grain Color(Appearance) 1 White Pearly 1 = White Pearly 2 = White Chalky (Opaque) 3= Yellow 4 = Lemon Yellow 5 = Light Red 6 = Dark Red 7 = Light Brown 8 =Reddish Brown 9 = Dark Brown 10 = Purple 11 = Other Endosperm Color 2Yellow 1 = White 2 = Yellow Endosperm Type 1 Starchy 1 = Starchy 2 =Waxy 3 = Sugary Endosperm Texture 2 Intermediate 1 = Floury 2 =Intermediate 3 = Corneous Seed Shape 1 Round 1 = Round 2 = Oval 3 =Ovate 4 = Turtleback 5 = Flat 6 = Wedge 7 = Other No. of Seed per 100 GGenotype 3900

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant, non-seed plant part, seed, or cell ofsorghum variety PHKK4LQKE, representative seed of said variety havingbeen deposited under ATCC accession number PTA-122067.
 2. The plant,non-seed plant part, seed, or cell of claim 1, further comprising atransgene, wherein (i) the seed, non-seed plant part or cell produces aplant which has otherwise all of the phenotypic and morphologicalcharacteristics of sorghum variety PHKK4LQKE; or (ii) the plant hasotherwise all of the phenotypic and morphological characteristics ofsorghum variety PHKK4LQKE.
 3. The plant, non-seed plant part, seed, orcell of claim 2, wherein the transgene confers a trait selected from thegroup consisting of male sterility, site-specific recombination, abioticstress tolerance, altered phosphorus, altered antioxidants, alteredfatty acids, altered essential amino acids, altered carbohydrates,herbicide resistance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and salttolerance.
 4. The plant, non-seed plant part, seed, or cell of claim 1,further comprising a locus conversion, wherein (i) the seed, non-seedplant part or cell produces a plant which has otherwise all of thephenotypic and morphological characteristics of sorghum varietyPHKK4LQKE; or (ii) the plant has otherwise all of the phenotypic andmorphological characteristics of sorghum variety PHKK4LQKE.
 5. Theplant, non-seed plant part, seed, or cell of claim 4, wherein the locusconversion confers a trait selected from the group consisting of malesterility, restorer gene, site-specific recombination, abiotic stresstolerance, altered phosphorus, altered antioxidants, altered fattyacids, altered essential amino acids, altered carbohydrates, herbicideresistance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and salt tolerance.6. A sorghum seed produced by crossing the plant or non-seed plant partof claim 1 with a different plant.
 7. A plant produced by growing theseed of claim
 6. 8. A method for producing a second plant comprisingapplying plant breeding techniques to a first plant, or parts thereof,wherein said first plant is the plant of claim 7, and whereinapplication of said techniques results in the production of said secondplant.
 9. The method of claim 8, further defined as producing an inbredplant derived from the sorghum line PHKK4LQKE, the method comprising thesteps of: (a) crossing said first plant with itself or another plant toproduce seed of a subsequent generation; (b) harvesting and planting theseed of the subsequent generation to produce at least one plant of thesubsequent generation; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for an additional2-10 generations to produce an inbred plant derived from sorghum linePHKK4LQKE.
 10. The method of claim 8, further defined as producing aninbred plant derived from sorghum line PHKK4LQKE, the method comprisingthe steps of: (a) crossing said first plant with an inducer variety toproduce haploid seed; and (b) doubling the haploid seed to produce aninbred plant derived from sorghum line PHKK4LQKE.
 11. A sorghum seedproduced by crossing the plant or non-seed plant part of claim 4 with adifferent plant.
 12. A plant produced by growing the seed of claim 11.13. A method comprising crossing the plant or non-seed plant part ofclaim 1 with another plant or plant part to produce F₁ seed.
 14. The F₁seed of claim
 13. 15. A method comprising growing the seed of claim 14to produce a first plant, and crossing the first plant with itself oranother plant.
 16. The seed, plant, non-seed plant part or cell of claim1, further comprising a restorer gene.
 17. A method comprising crossingthe plant or non-seed plant part of claim 16 with another plant toproduce F1 seed.
 18. The F1 seed produced by the method of claim
 17. 19.A method comprising growing the seed of claim 18 to produce a firstplant, and crossing the first plant with itself or another plant. 20.The seed, plant, non-seed plant part or cell of claim 1, furthercomprising a cytoplasmic conversion, wherein (i) the seed produces aplant which has otherwise all of the phenotypic and morphologicalcharacteristics of sorghum variety PHKK4LQKE; (ii) the plant hasotherwise all of the phenotypic and morphological characteristics ofsorghum variety PHKK4LQKE; or (iii) the non-seed plant part or cellproduces a plant which has otherwise all of the phenotypic andmorphological characteristics of sorghum variety PHKK4LQKE.